Virat Kohli & RCB Stars Play Pickleball After Rain Halts IPL Prep
What's the Score?
In a break from their typical training routine, prominent cricket players from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team, including stars like Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, recently engaged in a spontaneous game of pickleball. The impromptu session occurred when rain forced the cancellation of their scheduled cricket practice ahead of a crucial match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The team shared lighthearted moments from their pickleball fun on social media.
Hit it deeper!
The unexpected pickleball game involving members of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) provided a unique glimpse into how professional athletes from other sports are embracing the fast-growing paddle sport. The event took place during the demanding Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, where RCB has been having a successful run. The team had already secured a spot in the IPL playoffs and was positioned favourably, sitting second in the points table with a solid record of eight wins out of twelve matches.
The reason for the sudden shift from cricket practice to the pickleball court was simply inclement weather. Ahead of their thirteenth fixture of IPL 2025, a crucial match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), rain intervened and "ruined" the team's scheduled practice session. Rather than taking the time off entirely, the RCB players found an alternative activity in pickleball.
The franchise itself captured the moment and shared it with fans on their official social media platforms. The post featured images of the players on the pickleball court and was accompanied by playful commentary. RCB’s post humorously captioned the event, asking, "𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹? 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹! 🤭🫠". The caption further described the session as the boys enjoying "some smashes, a little sass, and whole lotta squad vibes at its very best! ➡🏓". This lighthearted tone highlighted the fun and camaraderie experienced by the players during their pickleball outing.
Among the recognisable faces participating were global cricket icon Virat Kohli and English wicket-keeper batsman Phil Salt, both key players for RCB. Their participation, along with other teammates, demonstrated the sport's accessibility and appeal even to individuals trained in highly specialised sports like cricket. It served as a reminder that pickleball is easy to pick up and can be enjoyed recreationally by athletes across disciplines.
The IPL 2025 season has been positive for RCB, who, led by Rajat Patidar, had accumulated 17 points from 12 matches at that point, winning eight and losing three. Their match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 17th had previously been washed out due to heavy rains. Amidst this busy and successful season, finding time for recreational activities like pickleball likely helps maintain team morale and provides a mental break.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The sight of world-renowned cricket stars like Virat Kohli and Phil Salt playing pickleball is a clear indicator of the sport's rapidly expanding global footprint and its mainstream appeal. While it may have started as a spontaneous way to fill time after a rained-out practice, the fact that elite athletes from a major sport find pickleball an enjoyable and engaging activity speaks volumes. This casual adoption by high-profile personalities provides invaluable, organic promotion for pickleball, exposing it to massive fan bases who might otherwise not encounter the sport. It reinforces pickleball's reputation as a fun, accessible game for people of all backgrounds and athletic abilities, capable of attracting even those at the pinnacle of other professional sports.